Certain paint formulations are recommended for specific applications for a reason. However, discerning between various types of paint can be very difficult if you don’t know the differences between them.
Although paint should be selected according to the wearability and final look intended, you should also consider a few essentials in order to pick the right coating products for your commercial property.
Let’s begin with a quick overview of paint sheen levels explained by an experienced commercial interior painter.
Flat or matte finishes – Because flat finishes have a non-reflective appearance, they can be used to conceal surface imperfections. On the downside, matte paint can be difficult to clean without affecting the integrity of the paint film. To address this issue, manufacturers like Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr have developed scrubbable flat finishes, which are formulated to withstand more frequent cleaning.
Eggshell finishes – Eggshell finishes offer a richer look and are a little bit more durable than flat paint. These two characteristics make them more appropriate for low-traffic areas.
Satin finishes – Slightly glossier than flat and eggshell finishes, satin paint is probably the most commonly used finish by a commercial interior painter. Since this finish is better at withstanding wear and tear, it can fit a wide variety of commercial applications.
Semi-gloss finishes – Semi-gloss paints are the optimal choices for commercial painting projects that demand maximum durability. The commercial facilities that can benefit from semi-gloss finishes range from hotels, resorts, restaurants, kitchens and warehouses to retail businesses, office buildings, hospitals and retirement homes.
Gloss finishes – Typically reserved for woodwork like trim, doors and smaller architectural details, gloss finishes can also be used in areas that receive a lot of traffic, such as lobbies and hallways.
Additional Paint Selection Criteria
To get the best results possible, any commercial interior painter will advise you to opt for a paint product that perfectly fits your painting project. For that, a few factors you should consider are:
- Interior versus exterior paint systems.
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Interior paints are formulated with: |
Exterior paint products contain: |
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- Acrylic–latex versus alkyd paints – Acrylic-latex paints often contain lower levels of VOCs and are low-odor, which makes them the go-to choice for most interior commercial applications.
Nowadays, paint manufacturers also provide water-based acrylic alkyd hybrids, two popular options being ProClassic Interior Waterbased Acrylic-Alkyd and Advance Waterborne Interior Alkyd paint.
- Who will use the space? – When looking for interior paint, it’s critical to take into account the intended use of the area in addition to the amount of traffic. The painting needs of a daycare center, for instance, would be completely different from those of an office building, hotel or restaurant kitchen.
As a locally-owned business established in 2001, Performance Painting Contractors is proud to offer customers an excellent painting experience. To take the first step toward an inviting color palette and a professional-looking, long-lasting commercial paint job, please contact us today!
